by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:41 PM ET, Mon July 13, 2015
Photo via Twitter/KingsDominionVA
Roller coaster enthusiasts know all about the Shockwave stand-up coaster at Kings Dominion, but those who haven't taken a ride on the attraction must hurry before it closes forever on August 9.
According to Gregory J. Gilligan of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, announced last week that the Shockwave roller coaster would be shut down for good after almost 30 years of service to the theme park.
Shockwave was built in 1986 and was the first stand-up coaster on the East Coast.
While the removal of this visitor staple is a blow for longtime patrons, the decision was made as part of plans to revamp the Candy Apple Grove section of Kings Dominion. Park officials will announce which attraction will take Shockwave's place next month.
Kings Dominion vice president and general manager Pat Jones told the Richmond Times-Dispatch about what the roller coaster meant to the growth of the park:
"While it's bittersweet to say goodbye to one of our older coasters, we're excited for what the future holds. The park has evolved so much over the past 40 years and as Kings Dominion continues to grow, we're committed to enhancing the overall experience for our guests. We're happy that Shockwave was able to provide close to three decades of memories."
What made the roller coaster so memorable was the unique setup of the ride. Not only were passengers strapped into the ride standing vertically with their feet on the floor of a car, but they also went through a full loop and reached top speeds of 50 miles per hour.
Shockwave was one of the most popular attractions at Kings Dominion and served more than 22 million people since the ride opened. The final ride on the roller coaster will take place Sunday August 9 at 10 p.m. local time, but the park plans on celebrating the life of the attraction in the weeks prior to its closure.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
